Search

One of the things that sticks out from my childhood is the music. My parents were really big into music and played it constantly. To the point that by age five, I could sing along with songs like “Hotel California”, “American Pie” and “California Dreaming”.

But one of my favorites was a local hit that I was just certain everyone else in the world knew about – like Atomic Cakes. It wasn’t until I left Chicago that I learned that most people don’t know the song…or sadly, the cake either.

While I’ve never forgotten the song, I sort of did. It’s been years since I thought about it…but the other day, while chatting with friends, I recalled the song and went to see if I could find it. Sure enough, I did. And then I found it on iTunes. Of course I bought it immediately.

There will always be a part of me that’s a South Side Irish, White Sox loving Chicago girl. But I haven’t actually lived in Chicago since 1993. We won’t discuss how long ago that was. I have to admit, I don’t know Chicago like I used to. I remember Soldier Field without the abomination of an addition and Marshall Field’s as the place to go at Christmastime with their windows and Walnut room. I remember when the McCormick place was a folly and when the Sears Tower was the world’s tallest building.

My Chicago is the Chicago of Just Yesterday – when Michael Jordan was king, Daley was Supreme Ruler, and Ditka was a god. I grew up loving movies like “The Blues Brothers”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “The Breakfast Club” partially because they were filmed in Chicago.

This song takes me back to those days. When I was young, when Chicago was still a little gritty, and when Lake Shore Drive had an S curve. Even without the emotional ties, I can still appreciate the music. I’ve always loved the pianos, the harmony, and the violin right at the end.

And I have to laugh at the idea of five year old me singing “Snaking on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound..”

South side (suburb) Irish girl too–moved in 93 too! LOVED IRELAND and was there for 9/11– we considered buying land there on that trip. We will be back someday to help you stalk bono and lots of Irish singers like Shane MacGowan (my son with Down syndrome’s middle name, a fine model citizen nonetheless!). My entire family is pretty much still there so we visit plenty, it’s still Chicago and there is always the music and fests. Thank goodness for RCA music deals, we had a lot of music growing up and although American Pie was reinfored and truly learned in college for me, MEATLOAFs Paradise was memorized long long before I had any idea what I was singing. Catch a band, sing a tune and grab a pint for us until we come visit you ourselves. GOOD LUCK with the book, you have a big fan and write like you talk and include lots of sarcasm!

Let me start off by saying that you are an inspiration to me in so many ways. I was introduced to your blog yesterday and have not been able to stop reading. My friend came across your blog and had to forward it to me and said “I swear we are triplets!” I also grew up in the South Side of Chicago, grew up listening to Oldies 104.3, back when the Bulls had a REAL team. I even worked for the White Sox while in HS as an usher lol. To this day, my family and I can repeat word for word the ENTIRE Ferris Beuller’s Day Off movie.

My husband, 2 sons, and I are currently stationed in Texas (he is in the Army) and hope to travel to Ireland this summer (fingers crossed) hopefully with my friend that introduced your blog to me. We also hope to move there, even though we have never been (yet) within the next few years. The adventures that you and your family encountered are definitely one for the books.

When I first saw the title, I read “Lake Side Drive” and I thought to myself “oooh, another Nitzer Ebb fan!” It wasn’t until I read all the way through the post that I realized you had actually said “Lake Shore Drive” instead.

Phoebz4 I am with The Full Life Ahead Foundation and we are an Alabama based special needs program that helps kids with ALL sorts of disABILITIES. I was wondering if it would be ok for me to link your post about the word “retarded”? It really struck a cord with me and I’m sure that there are others out there that would benefit from being reminded that using a word like that is not only immature but insensitive.